By Dominique Wald DWALD@DNEWS.COM Community members near and far are eagerly waiting for the return of the Moscow Farmers Market, which opens Saturday and will run until the last weekend in October.
The market, which is held on Main Street and Friendship Square, brings in more than 60 vendors, not including the 145 who contact the Moscow Arts Commission to be walk-on vendors.
Moscow resident Linda Pall said she helped build the farmers market from the ground up, a journey that started in 1974 when she was a community activist.
“It was something our community really needed – it’s the perfect place for everyone to gather,” Pall said. “That’s why I wanted to do it.”
Pall went on to get elected to the City Council, became a Washington State University professor and now works as a lawyer. To add to her impressive resume, Pall also has photography on display at the Third Street Gallery on the second and third floors of City Hall in Moscow. The exhibit is a collection of photographs she has taken at farmers markets dating back to the early ‘90s. The exhibit runs through May 16.
The early stages of what is today known as the Moscow Farmers Market started with the Moscow Food Co-op selling produce on the sidewalk, Pall said. After a series of petitions and discussions, the market debuted in 1977 and has expanded from Friendship Square to Jackson Street and Main Street, with the promise of expansion in the future.
Pall said there are newer additions to the market that some people may not know about.
“People are familiar with the common produce sold at the farmers market, but I bet a lot of people would be interested to know that the Moscow Farmer’s Market now sells wine,” Pall said.
The market also brings vendors in from out of town. Pall said she’s met with vendors from Spokane and Tri-Cities.
Pall also said those who aren’t familiar with the Farmer’s Market are in for a treat.
“We have fresh produce, street musicians, flowers, cider, and it establishes the art element,” Pall said. “People should come to experience it – the sense of community is extraordinary.”
The Moscow Farmers Market also allows families who live in the area to use EBT or SNAP benefits to purchase produce. Families with EBT or SNAP benefits can visit the Shop the Market booth at the City Tent to receive Market Money that can be used to buy food items.
Farmers interested in becoming vendors can apply online at www.ci.moscow.id.us.
If you go WHAT: Moscow Farmers Market WHEN: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; opens Saturday and runs through October WHERE: Friendship Square and Main Street in Moscow
